Meet the Poster Girl

I have found my new favorite person. She is my dental hygenist. Today she told me that I am the Poster Girl for good Gum Health. So, I think I'm going to get cute and go in next week with some headshots, so they can really get working on the nomination process. I'm sure it is a lengthy one, so it may be some time before you see me at a national level, but be prepared.

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post except that I am smiling. You can see why though. I'm with Nan and her hubby Chuck. This was back from my graduation visit, but I miss them terribly. They are too cute for words, so I had to include a picture.

Dear Over Achiever

Dear Over Achiever,

I am not very well acquainted with you and don't really ever plan on joining your club. I have always been happy in life doing just enough to get by. I am sometimes bugged that your over zealousness makes me look bad, but I have enough inner strength to not let it bug me too long. Until, this weekend!

Friday afternoon, as I pulled into the parking lot of the Youth Conference gathering point. A lovely little out of the way camp/lodge type place. I was checking in and getting my bright yellow t-shirt that we were assigned to wear for the two days when I noticed you.

There you were standing there holding your 4 month old baby. WHAT?? I was saying a little prayer for you that you were just dropping girls off. Not the case. You were committed to stay for two days through the 800% humidity that was Friday and enjoy the antics of teenage girls.

I might normally be tempted to say 'hats off to you' if you are up to that sort of thing, but I am not humored. You see, I am planning on having my little baby in January and I have full intentions of milking the 'I can't possibly commit because I have a new baby' routine for at least 78 months. So, your presence made me a little nervous.

The Stake YW Presidency was there and apparently the sacrifices of the last two years of Girl's Camp and two years of Youth Conference are not enough. One lovely lady hinted about 800 times that that would be me next summer. I was on the verge of being rude by straight out telling her no. That did not discourage her one bit. She would point to you and say 'She's such a good example for you.' Um. NO!
Finally, I told this lady that I don't say no to callings, but I would say no to any summer assignments next year. Apparently, my hinting and sarcasm were totally lost, so direct and to the point I go.

So, just for the record and as an announcement to other soon to be mothers, I would appreciate it if you could lay low for a little longer, so as not to set expectations too high.

Sincerly,

Amanda the Under Achiever

Nursery colors

I can't seem to make peace with the whole nursery sets, so I went to the fabric store today and look how cute. Don't you think I should make my own set? Hmmm... I know it isn't very kiddy, but then again my son won't know that it is not Winnie the Pooh (small barf)and rather something that his mama likes.
Just wanted to share. Wish all of you were close enough that we could go shopping and do sewing together!
Let's all just say a little prayer that I don't run out of steam before the sewing and painting begins.

Oh, and funny story. I am standing at the cutting counter talking to other sewing ladies about fabric. One lady commented how she was just addicted to fabric. I nodded and then this other lady said "yeah, I have a whole closet of alien fabric. (Pause) But then I guess everyone does." huh?? Really? Anyone out there that loves beautiful fabric have a closet (or even one bit) of alien fabric? Just curious. What would you even do with alien fabric? And she even looked like a normal woman. Oh well. Never assume.

It's a BOY!

Sorry to psych you all out with all of the Cami references that I have been making. We should have known that having only picked out a girl's name, we would be guarenteed a little boy.
The ultrasound was great. The tech was wonderful, but by the end she had only printed out one picture. I was a little anxious about that and prompted her to print out a few more.
So, for those of you that are not ultrasound technicians, this is the baby's profile. Right up by his forehead is his little fist. The part on the top is his thigh bone. He is curled up and in prime kicking condition.
So now comes the tricky part. We have no name for this little fella. Any suggestions are welcome. We don't like really weird names, but with a last name like Johnson, we want it to be a little different. So, bring it on.

20 weeks

Well friends, it is time for another picture. This was taken on Saturday. As our Get out of Dodge, we went to Milwaukee. We've driven through before, but never stopped. John's brother and sister-in-law were in town with us for the weekend with their youngest Brock (7 months), so we decided to drive over to Lake Michigan so they could get a look. They have a fun little beach area there with lots of volleyball courts and picnic areas.
I do have to say that I was really excited about IrishFest that was going on there. We didn't know about it ahead of time and you know how I am about a Fest. However we were not all in agreement about going, so we drove right past the man in the kilt and as I cried a little, we headed off.
Another disappointment of the day came when Tim (John's brother) found the Leverne and Shirley theme song on his Blackberry and played it. I rolled down my window and started singing really loud to the man in the car next to us. He had his window down and I am SURE he heard me, but not a glance, not a smirk, NOTHING!!! What kind of man is that? Huh? It could have been a nice bonding moment for the Milkwaukee man and me, but no. I really don't get serious people, do you?
Back to my picture. I am actually pretty sure that I am now bigger than in that picture because I felt like my stomach was expanding by the second yesterday in sacrament meeting. I couldn't handle it. I had to get up and walk around and I was really wishing for a pillow to put behind my back. Now, I really have never been afraid of appearing to be Grandma Johnson, so a pillow in church is not out of the picture for future Sundays. I'm keeping that in mind.

Advice anyone?

So for those of you who don't know yet, I have been called to be the Young Women's President in my ward. It has been two weeks and I have already managed to forget to show up at a fireside that the YW were scheduled to babysit. Fortunately I have a good excuse. I was in bed in pain, so back off folks. Not you readers of course, but anyone who might want my head on a platter for forgetting.

That is not however the topic of this blog. I need some help. We have an interesting issue in our ward in that many parents seem to have somehow forgotten that they are responsible for their children. It's kind of weird because being in Y.W.'s means that they have at least been parents for 12 years, right? So, it is surprising to me that for some reason, some parents feel that providing transportation for their kids or arranging that is always someone else's job.
For example, we have recently instituted the 'the YW Presidency will not be arranging rides for all the girls to all the events' motto. If the activity is at the Stake Center we are now allowing parents the opportunity to arrange carpools of their very own, or in some other way get their kids to the events. We will continue to arrange rides for the big events like Girl's Camp, Youth Conference, etc. This new program was not well received by most, but we have continued on.
We also have an issue with girls actually arriving at the church on time when we are arranging rides. My new announcement to girls and parents is 'if you are not there by ____ we will assume that you are either not coming or have your own ride.'
So, I'm feeling good about helping parents and girls alike to be a bit more accountable, but am faced with a new little 'how do I handle this' situation.
Why is it that even though we have Mutual every Wednesday night from 7-8:30, we still have parents that can't manage to be to the church at 8:30? I understand that they have families, other children, stuff going on, but seriously, every week??? I was at the church until 9pm tonight waiting for a parent to come. Now this particular family has had YW in YW for 4 years. This is not a new schedule and yet we have this lovely interaction EVERY week.

Me or another leader: So, does everyone have a ride
Girl: Um, I don't know
Me or another leader: So, is your mom or dad coming to get you?
Girl: Um, I don't know
Me or another leader (in our head): seriously? You have no idea how you are getting home? Is the tooth fairy going to come and fly you off, because if you think that you are getting in my car for me to drive you home, you are a touch out of your mind.
Me or another leader (out loud): Well, why don't you call and let them know that we are all done and waiting to go home?
Girl: um, ok

10 minutes later

Me (in my head): in 5 seconds I am going to start you on the way home, walking
Me (out loud): So, are they coming to get you?
Girl: I don't know, I haven't called yet

REALLY??? So I have a couple questions: (seriously)
Would you:
a) talk to only the offending parents
b) send out a newsletter first with a reminder that girls are to get picked up at 8:30 in order to allow the leaders to go home to their families
c) find someone to pass the buck to?
d) another other really good ideas

Just curious.

Catapalooza

Now as far as I know, y'all aren't big fans of cats, but I had to pass this on. We adopted both of our pups from the Humane Society and a rescue and we occasionally get emails. This was in my inbox today. So, incase any of you are up for a palooza that you didn't plan, come for a little visit and we'll be sure to enjoy 29 hours of cat extravaganza. Just for the record I don't actually like cats, but would go if I had a visitor.